The Sibu archipelago has almost the same magical charm and brilliance as celebrated by Pulau Rawa and Pulau Tioman. The island consists of Pulau Sibu Besar, Pulau Sibu Tengah, Pulau Sibu Hujung, Pulau Kukus, and Pulau Tinggi. Pulau Sibu forms part of the Seribuat chain of islands and lies 12 kilometres off the east coast of the West Peninsular of Malaysia. The island is shaped like a triangular hour glass, about 6 kilometres long and never more than one kilometre wide it’s whole length. You can walk from one resort to the other by jungle trekking. The abundance of marine life makes it a terrific spot for recreational diving and snorkeling, angling and watersports like canoeing, windsurfing, sailing, yachting, cruising and island hoping.

The popularity of the island has been a blessing to the island resort, which has seen an increasing number of tourists from Scandinavian countries. Although filming took place in Pulau Sibu Kukus and Pulau Sibu Besar, majority of the crew, participants, as well as the media covering the series, stayed at the Sibu Island Resort in Pulau Sibu Tengah.

Angling is probably the most popular activity around the archipelago, offering highly regarded sportfish like tenggiri(narrow barred mackerel), black marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi or dolphin and good quality food fish like garoupers and snappers.
The resort can arrange fishing trips around the islands or at the surrounding kelongs or one can just try one’s luck at the breakwater bunds at the island’s jetty.

Those who prefer to take a “deep” dip into the sea can go for diving or snorkeling trips to the nearby Pulau Kukus or Pulau Lima. Uninhabited Kukus is the perfect hideout for those who treasure privacy.
On the way back, make a stop at Sibu Besar to absorb the picturesque view of the serene Kampung Duku, home to about 200 villagers. Witness the time-tested method on making copra or the handicraft-making from coconut wastes.
Back on land, take a short moderate jungle walk into the vegetation to reach a beautiful stretch of beach, nicknamed by staff as the Private Beach. The 30-minute trip is suitable for both children and healthy senior citizens.

The best months to visit the Sibu archipelago are from March to August. Though it isn’t closed to visitors during the monsoon season, the choppy sea will deter “enjoyable and comfortable sea activities”.
With its natural beauty and charm and offering adventurous and “soft” activities, Sibu Tengah is great destination for the whole family or those planning to treat themselves to a perfect holiday.

Kelong Wing Sing Kelong, lift nets are use to catch fishes that are attracted by the lights placed above the nets at night.
The kelong on the left is located at Sibu Island. It is one of the best in the east cost of Johor. Don’t be surprise because the kelong is equipped with TV, kitchen, bathroom and living room !

This is for the lucky ones.The catch is depending on the right season and the tide. btw, it is really hard to guarantee you any catch. Even if you go fishing at some commercial fishing center, you might come back empty handed. Well, the fishes are there but whether you can get it is a different story.
Rates is at RM250 for 3 days and 2 night inclusive return boat transfer, food, supper and lodging and fishing trip.

The surrounding waters contain fascinating coral reefs teeming with colourful marine life. Shipwrecks off its coast can also be found. In the olden days, Chinese junks and pirate vessels often exchanged cannon fire around this island, and the remains of these battles lie scattered around the seabed.

There are facilities for scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing, sailing and angling. Visitors can go for a hike through the jungle leading to unspoilt mangrove swamps or visit the kelong, or jetty, where anchovies are caught. Alternatively, head for the kampong, or village, to get a first-hand look at how coconuts are smoked to make copra.

Key Tips :
If you are travelling with children or you are not a strong swimmer, choose to stay on a beach on the western side of the island where the sea is calmer, as you can avoid exposure to the South China Sea here

How to get there
By Road and Sea:
You can catch a boat ride to Sibu Island from Tanjung Leman jetty, south of Mersing. From Mersing town, travel south along the Mersing – Kota Tinggi (Highway 3) trunk road for about 44km and turn left. The road passes through an oil palm plantation, and is narrow and winding in certain parts. From Johor Bahru, head for Kota Tinggi town. From Kota Tinggi town, travel north on the Kota Tinggi – Mersing trunk road (Highway 3) for 48km and turn right to the same junction mentioned above. Pulau Sibu is about 20 minutes’ boat ride from Tanjung Leman.

Who to contact :
For more information about Sibu island, please contact the Johor Marine Park Information Centre in Mersing at 607-7991161 or the Mersing Tourist Information Centre (METIC) at 607-7995212.

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sibu island Accommodation Overview :

Accommodation on the island ranges from fully furnished chalets to basic A-frame huts. There are also restaurants serving Asian and Western cuisines.